TRAVEL
Travel Back in History to the Old West
The Grand Canyon Railway in Williams Arizona
Take a ride back to the charm and history of the Old West with a trip on the historic Grand Canyon Railway to the Grand Canyon. I am following up my recent photo gallery of the Grand Canyon with this story to help you get to the canyon. I wouldn’t have known this train existed, if not for my nephew who told me about it.
The historic Grand Canyon Railway train ride starts in Williams Arizona from the historic depot built in 1908. According to the website, “The Grand Canyon Depot is part of the Grand Canyon National Park Historic District and is a National Historic Landmark.”
Kids who love trains will find this the highlight of their day going to the Grand Canyon. Even if they aren’t into trains, they will have an enjoyable trip through the Arizona desert. Even if you aren’t a train aficionado, it takes away the stress of driving in the middle of the desert to the canyon.
Not only does it avoid traffic congestion in the canyon area, it allows guests to sleep on the way home! This is a great idea for parents of young children, as the kids will be exhausted after seeing the canyon. A buffet dinner was included in our trip, and we were starving when we returned from the canyon.
You have the option of staying overnight at the historic hotel or RV park before leaving on the train. Many choose to stay at the hotel after the train ride, to avoid driving home after a long day. While there are hotels at the Grand Canyon rim, they are expensive. We found this alternative worked great for us.
The train embarks early in the morning and takes about two hours before it arrives at the canyon. It leaves the canyon fairly early, but I felt we had enough time at the canyon and weren’t too rushed. The great thing is it drops you off right at the rim. You disembark, walk up a small hill and there is the magnificent Grand Canyon.
This is a bit of a spoiler alert, but there are several fun features in this train ride you will want to know about before you go. If your children have anxiety issues, you may want to prepare them for the bandits! As you travel along the desert, suddenly bandits on horseback will attack the train! Later these bandits put on an Old West show, with a “real” shootout at the corral. On the way home, they jump aboard the train and “rob” all the passengers for tips. It’s not to worry, though, because they will also come and sit with you while one of them grabs his guitar and leads everyone in song.
Although our daughter was a little old for the train robbery, we all had fun, and it was a relaxing way to get into the canyon and back to other destinations near Williams Arizona.
© August 2024 A. Roe
If you like my travel stories, support my wanderings. Thanks!
Subscribe here • Coffee here • Romulan ale
